THE WORLD STILL NEEDS HEROES - AND THERE ARE HEROES ALL OVER THE WORLD!

The Champions have gone global! The team has seen explosive growth under Ms. Marvel's leadership, with super-powered members ready to answer the call in a dozen different countries.

They're saving people and improving lives across the planet while they inspire the next generation... but something sinister lurks beneath the surface of their expanded mission.

It's a dark secret that could destroy the team and everything they stand for!

Jim Zub (AVENGERS: NO SURRENDER, UNCANNY AVENGERS) and Steven Cummings (Wayward, Legends of the Dark Knight) ignite a new era of CHAMPIONS, filled to the brim with action, adventure and drama in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

Rated T+ - 32 pgs./$3.99 - On Sale January 2nd

Black Order #3 - Written by Derek Landy. Art by Philip Tan. Cover by Philip Tan. Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher.

You just can't work to destabilize an empire these days without drawing the attention of at least one pesky super-powered hero, now can you?

All the Black Order wants to do is usurp, assassinate and sabotage, and here comes the man called Nova to spoil all the fun...

Sam Alexander is overwhelmed inside the WorldMind.
The artificial intelligence explains that Sam is both inside the WorldMind and is also speaking to a physical representation of the WorldMind.

Nova asks the digital avatar what exactly is the WorldMind. It replies that he is a sentient computer consisting of all the minds of the Nova Corps
and the citizens of Xandar.

Sam asks if his father is among the downloaded consciousnesses. The WorldMind states that Jesse Alexander's consciousness has not been
uploaded to its collective. It also mentions that he does not have adequate information on Jesse's current location.

Sam asks if Rich Rider's consciousness is in the WorldMind. Oddly, the WorldMind responds that he believes Rich is inside but hasn't looked
for him in a while. Sam Alexander questions the sentient computer if it is Richard Rider. The WorldMind says no.

When the WorldMind asks Sam what brought him to this section of space, Nova responds that he wants to know how the Black Nova helmet works. The artificial intelligence explains that the
Nova Force is a powerful energy source that is channeled through the Nova Corps helmets. However, it explains that the Black Nova helmets
are different and runs on its own on-board reactor.

As they continue their conversation, Sam begins talking about his mother. Suddenly, the WorldMind begins to change. It asks if Sam's
mother's name is Gloria. The teenager replies that his mother is Eva and asks who is Gloria. The artificial sentience surprisingly reveals that Gloria is his mother!

The metallic features and voice of the WorldMind begin altering into a more human form as Sam realizes that it is indeed Richard Rider!

The now human form of Rich asks Sam why he would consider giving up the Nova helmet. The teen hero explains that being Nova has been extremely difficult on him and his family. He also feels the rest of the
super hero community doesn't want him around and his friends at school don't like him any more. Sam thinks it might be best for everyone if he gives up being Nova and focus of what's important.

After a quiet moment, Rich Rider advises Sam to suck it up.

Rich lectures Sam Alexander about how he had sacrificed himself to save the universe from Thanos and is now trapped inside the WorldMind.
Although he realizes he will never see his family or friends again, he would do it all over again because the consequences of not doing it would be too great.

Rich Rider understands that Earth has a large number of heroes but with all the threats the universe faces, it needs all the heroes it can get. Nova Prime sums it up in the simple statement that Sam isn't
allowed to give up because he has the power to save people.

The teen Nova realizes his new friend is right. He asks a final question about keeping his Nova identity a secret from his friends. Rich advises him to tell them because being a hero is hard but it doesn't
have to be miserable.

After a few more minutes, Sam realizes the WorldMind is beginning to try and exert itself again. But he also can tell Rich Rider's consciousness is also fighting back. Before he leaves, Sam Alexander asks
Rich if he can come visit again but the older hero can't really answer him. Nova Prime tries to explain about fluctuations in space-time but Sam isn't able to understand it. Suddenly, Sam is back in normal space.

Back on Earth, Sam and his mother hug as he returns home. He gives Eva a gift from Rich Rider. It's a tracking device that will allow her to know where Sam is at all times. Her son explains that he has to
keep being Nova because he has the power to help power. Eva Alexander smiles.

Later, Sam meets up with his friends on the street. He reveals to them that they were right and that he is Nova.

His friends are excited and happy to know the truth. Suddenly, the teenager gets a text from Iron Man. He is needed on Avengers business.
The other teens asks if they can see him put on the Nova uniform. Sam reluctantly agrees.

As he takes off, Nova doesn't pay attention to his environment and flies into a tree. His friends collapse in laughter! They point out that it's a good thing he has a helmet. Sam smiles.

Elsewhere, Gloria Rider answers her front door to find that her son Richard Rider has come home!